The Eighth Day

It is a French film with English subtitles and is a great achievement, without doubt. Two men take the lead roles - one is probably the most popular film star in France, David Auteuil; the other, Pascal Duquenne, makes his film debut as Georges, a man with Down's Syndrome. You would expect the first to do well. In fact, both produce a first class performance. The result is a film with humour and pathos, bringing together in stark contrast the vastly different worlds of the marketing executive and a person from an institution for people with learning difficulties.

David Potter

The Eighth Day

A film on general release where the lead actor has Down's Syndrome is a rare phenomenon. For that film also to receive awards is even more remarkable. But The Eighth Day is such a film. What is it like?

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